Kellyn ducked even lower as Bryce and his group passed. She couldn't believe that he of all people was out looking for her! Too bad for him because she wasn't going back until she had proven herself. It was at this moment that Kellyn's plan became firm. "I'm going to join the Gerudos and train with them!" She whispered into the darkness. With that she quietly whistled to Evony and they headed towards the fortress.
Nyru was still outside talking to the guard when Kellyn rode up. "Well, well, well if it isn't the lost princess." She said as she bowed. "Oh stop it silly!" Kellyn hissed as she slid off Evony. "I was wondering how long it'd be before you showed up." Nyru said. She walked over to Evony and rubbed the horse's nose. "I'm sure you're aware that your father is already looking for you?"
"Of course I am." Kellyn said. "Since they've already looked here this will be the perfect hiding spot!" Kellyn patted Evony's flank and smiled at Nyru. "I do hope you plan on telling what this is all about." Nyru said with a raised eyebrow. "Sure, but first can I stay here?" Kellyn said. She was in the process of pulling her pack down and had turned her back. She wasn't aware that NAbooru had come back out at that time. "Princess Kellyn!" Nabooru exclaimed. Kellyn jumped and turned to face the Gerudo Queen. She had always been a little afraid of Nabooru. Of course then again most people were. Nabooru wasn't tall, but she still made a formidable presence. At that moment even dress in a looser gown for bed, she was scary. Kellyn looked at Nyru for help, but Nyru had stepped back behind her mother. She new better than to get involved, not yet anyways.
"I...I ran away?" Kellyn stuttered. She felt a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Yes Princess that has already been established." Nabooru said. "What I mean is, why did you come here?" "I want to join the Gerudos, I want to train with you." Kellyn said raising her chin defiantly. "After I have proven I am as good a warrior as any son then I will go home." "What makes you think we would even consider letting you join us?" Nabooru asked. She had this gleam in her eye and it made Kellyn shiver. "I know there is a test and I know I can pass it." She answered. "Very well tonight you may sleep and tomorrow you may take the challenge!" Nabooru said. With that she turned and stalked back into the fortress. Kellyn let out her breath. She hadn't realized she'd been holding it until that moment. Nyru was smiling, "I hope you know what you're doing." "S o do I." Kellyn replied. "So do I."
Link had made it to the Goron city on Death Mountain. There was no sign of his daughter there either. He only hoped that Bryce had found her and they were both back at the palace by now. Darunia had smirked at Link when he had told him what had happened. "You treated her like your sone for 16 years and now you expect her to become a lady just like that?" Darunia asked.
"Not just like that, she was to make the adjustment over time." Link scowled. "I just never thought she'd take it this hard!" Darunia had looked at his long time friend and shook his head. " You still have much to learn." He said. "She is a lady, the kind she wants to be." Link had could only sigh. What else could he do? She was a princess and suppose to be wearing gowns and going to balls. She had attended a few, but boys were easily put off by her. She had beat most of them in jousting tournaments and that made them dislike her. Zelda was afraid that Kellyn would never find love, never marry. "We only want her to be happy." Link said. "Then go home and wait to hear from her." Darunia said. "It's not that easy!" Link exclaimed. "These Dark Knights are dangerous and what if she met up with them?" Darunia had glared at Link then. "You must have faith in your daughter and what you have taught her!" He growled. "She is your daughter, the daughter of the Hero of Time." Link had winced at his friend's voice. He'd never seen him so angry, but maybe he was right. Maybe Link needed to trust Kellyn and her decision. With that thought he had left and now he was headed across Hyrule field. The sun was starting to rise and he was tired. He let Epona have the reigns while his mind wandered to the night Kellyn was born. He had been surprised that she was a girl, but the love had overflowed out of him. She quickly became the apple of his eyes. Link had taken her everywhere with him when she got older. He hadn't had much choice. If he tried to leave her behind she would just sneak off after him. That is when she had started learning how to use a sword and a variety of other weapons. Zelda and Link had thought that it was a phase and once she reached her teen years she would drift towards more lady like things. That hadn't happened. A very grand ball had been thrown in honor of her sixteenth birthday. Zelda had order a beautiful sapphire colored silk gown for Kellyn. She had been a vision! Link would always remember watching her descend the steps. The gown was a dark sapphire blue. It was cut in an A-line and fell straight to the floor. The front opened to reveal an underskirt that was cream colored satin. The bodice was fitted and laced up the front with gold cord. The sleeves on the over gown were open and fell to knee length. While the sleeves of the underdress were the same cream color as the underskirt and ended in a point at her wrists.. She had left her hair down and had only pulled back a little on each side and braided it. She wore a gold circlet that looped in a tear drop on her forehead and held a sapphire stone in it. It was the one and only time she managed to look and act like a princess for an entire evening. The next day had found her jousting and wrestling down the very young men she had held captivated with her beauty the night before. That was one of a million memories he had of Kellyn. Now she was gone! Link looked ahead to the castle. He still held a fleeting hope that Bryce had brought her home. Her heart was telling him other wise.
Zelda paused outside Kellyn's door. Had it been so long since she'd been in there? The sun was just starting to rise over Hyrule field. Zelda hadn't slept all night. Part from worrying about her daughter and part from the discomfort being 8 months pregnant brings. She opened the door and walked into the room. The sun's first rays were coming through the window. Zelda's lips parted in a silent "O" as she took in her daughter's room. It was so girlish! Zelda stood by the bed and took in the coverlet and curtains. She had assumed it would look more plain. She wandered over to the vanity and looked at the various perfumes, trinkets and such on it. She would have never guessed that Kellyn owned such things. It was then that she noticed the box where Kellyn kept all her jewelry. Carefully laid out was a gold necklace with a triforce symbol charm. The center of charm held a sapphire. It had been Zelda's gift to Kellyn on her sixteenth birthday. Zelda touched it as a tear slipped down her cheek. She turned to take in the rest of the bedroom. She noticed the sword case on the floor. "Of course she took that." Zelda said as she walked back over to the bed. She sat down and the baby gave a hefty kick. She rubber her belly as she stared out the window. "Oh if you were here what I would say to you." She whispered thoughtlessly.
Kellyn woke at dawn to Nyru prodding here. "Come on!" She whispered. Kellyn blinked sleepily and yawned. She rolled from the bed and followed Nyru wordlessly. She led her outside to where half a dozen other girls her age were standing in a single line. Both girls joined the line and stared straight ahead. It wasn't long before Nabooru came out. She was dressed in typical Gerudo attire. She wore baggy white pants and a leather halter. She had two swords belted to her back and her raid hair was in a ponytail. She didn't wear a veil, but she had on the usual amount of make-up. She walked the length of the line of girls. When she got to the end she turned and started walking back. "You all are here because you wish to train to be a gerudo fighter." She said. "Some of you were born Gerudo, some of you are from the outer villages, all of you are women!" Nabooru stopped in front of Kellyn. "There will be no partiality." She looked at Kellyn. "You will all dress in our warrior garb, eat in our mess hall and sleep in the appointed barracks." Nabooru throughly enjoyed her little speech. She knew Kellyn was strong, but the question was how far she would actually go with her little plan. "First things first!" Nabooru shouted. "You will go to the barracks which are located around the back of the fortress, there you will receive your clothing, weapons and other necessary items." All the girls turned in one motion and walked in the line towards the barracks. Nabooru fell into step behind Kellyn. "I sent a messenger to Hyrule Castle this morning." She said. Kellyn's eyes widened and she glanced back at Nabooru. "I told your father of your wishes and assured him you would be kept safe here." She replied. "He'll be here by nightfall." Kellyn said. Her heart had plummeted. She knew her father would never let her go through with this. "No he won't." Nabooru replied. "You see once you commit to Gerudo training you cannot leave unless you are dead or banished." Kellyn stopped and looked at Nabooru. "Turn around and keep walking!" She ordered. Kellyn spun around and jogged a little to catch up with the others. Nabooru caught up to her. "Your father knows our ways and he will not interfere." She said. "He still isn't going to be happy." Kellyn said. "I didn't know HIS happiness had anything to do with this?" Nabooru said. "It doesn't, not really" Kellyn said. By that time they had reached the barracks. The girls filed in and split to stand in two single file lines facing each other. Behind them were bunks that they would sleep on. Immediately two other Gerudo soldiers came out. "Strip!" Nabooru ordered. Kellyn hesitated for a second before she realized that if she didn't do it herself it would be done for her. After a few minutes they all stood naked and facing each other. "Take a good look." Nabooru said as she paced down between them. "These are your friends and family now." Kellyn's faced was blooming with color. The thought of anyone studying her body was too embarrassing. Then the two Gerudos started handing out clothing. Each girl got purple pants and a red leather halter. They were also given veils. Kellyn finally noticed that even though she wanted to fit in she never would. She was the only one with blonde hair! All the others had red hair. It was in various shades, but defiantly red. "This is going to be a long month." She muttered as she dressed.